The Impact of Amharic Linguistic Interference on Tigrinya as Medium of Education: The Case of Alamata Primary Schools

Abstract

This paper deals with the impact of Amharic (neighbor language) linguistic interferences on the Tigrinya variety used as medium of instruction, particularly in Alamata primary schools, south Tigray in north Ethiopia. The study is mainly concerned with the description and analysis of the linguistic interferences of Amharic into the Tigrinya variety used as medium of instruction. It is also aimed at pointing out the impacts of the linguistic on the medium of instruction and at suggesting some measures which can possibly solve or reduce the impacts. In order to achieve these objectives, a questionnaire, an interview, a writing test and personal classroom observations have been used as the main data collection instruments. Six primary schools have been selected using random and purposive sampling method. Grade seven students and their Tigrinya teachers have also been selected as sample subjects of the study using random sampling technique. The data, therefore, have been collected through the aforementioned methods from these subjects during schooling time. Both quantitative and descriptive methods have been used in an integrated way to analyze the data. The data have revealed that the influence of Amharic on the Tigrinya variety used as MOI is high at all linguistic levels (phonology, morphology, syntax and lexical), and it brings about negative effect in classroom communication. Moreover, it has also been found that there are innovations of linguistic elements.

DOI: 10.7176/JLLL/66-02

Publication date:March 31^st 2020